California regulators approved stricter energy efficiency standards for buildings Wednesday as the state continues its push to phase out gas appliances.
The state’s new energy code, which will take effect in 2026, stops short of mandating that builders use zero-emission technology like electric heat pumps in new construction but will make it more challenging and expensive for them to install gas space and water heaters.
The decision to regulate gas appliance use through energy efficiency rules — rather than a mandate — comes after the city of Berkeley, California, dropped its ban on gas lines in new buildings in March, following a decision by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals that the ban violated federal law.
The California Energy Commission voted 4-0 to adopt the energy code, which sets high efficiency standards designed to incentivize developers to use heat pumps for space and water heating. If a builder decides to install a gas heater for one of those purposes, they’ll have to spend more on efficiency upgrades like thicker windows, more insulation or better plumbing.
